Congratulations to Lindsay Mosley and Meredith Lane; the winners of the "Great Snowman Build" holiday fitness challenge. Lindsay and Meredith put in daily cardio workouts between 30 and 90 minutes for an entire month, helping them win by almost 10 snowmen. Their nearest competitors were second place finishers Carson Richards and Joyce Rose. Way to go!

We decided to start off 2011 with some new "toys" for you. The Ashland gym now has one of hottest fitness toys called "battling ropes"; click here to see how they are used. Ashland also has new "braided" tubing; this is safer and more versatile than the previous single band tubing we had. New TV's in the cardio area and a new Precor heavy duty treadmill round out the new additions. We hope you enjoy the new additions to the gym.

Don't forget that Mary Brook's Zumba classes continue through the winter. Classes remain on Tuesday evenings @ 7 and Sunday afternoons @ 4. Your first class is free! Come and try; it's a blast!

As 2011 now begins many changes are in store for health care and health insurance coverage.  This month I will highlight some of the important developments that have occurred and how this can impact your health care this year.  Much of the private insurance debate is still ongoing and subject to change.  Congress convened in December and blocked several important proposed changes in relation to Medicare services.  In summary, until Congress intervened 2011 were to bring an over 30% reduction in Medicare coverage for health care services to medical providers including physicians and physical therapists.  As would be expected this caused great concern to medical providers who struggle to cover expenses as things are now.  Patients in my practice have even told me they already could not see a Dr. they wanted to see because they were no longer going to accept Medicare patients.  This cut would have had a large ripple effect on ability of patients to gain access to medical services.  Part of the cuts were passed but the net effect will only be a 5% reduction instead of the over 30% proposed.

Secondly, Medicare patients receiving physical therapy do have a yearly capitation on services.  This amount is a little over $1800.  If a patient has extenuating circumstances such as several major health issues, a large surgery such as a knee or hip replacement etc. a special exception code can be used by the physical therapy provider allowing the CAP to be exceeded.  Under the proposed law changes 2011 would eliminate that exception process.  This would have led to many patients who needed additional services not being able to receive them or having to pay out of pocket for services.  Congress did meet in late December and also blocked this change, so for 2011 this exception process is still available to therapists for patients who meet the criteria to exceed the CAP.

Briefly some highlights of the proposed health insurance changes for regular health insurance are as follows:

1. Any enrollment in new plans allow coverage of checkups/preventative care without copayments
2. No lifetime limit on how much insurance will cover for care
3. It will be illegal to suddenly cancel a policy just because a patient is sick
4. For new plans parents can keep children under their coverage until age 26

This is just a brief summary of things that are happening and of course we know that more changes will likely be happening.  Here at Active Rehab and Fitness I strive to keep up with health care laws and how it impacts delivery of care.  I am always available to discuss or to check into anyone's individual insurance coverage pertaining to physical therapy/medical benefits.

Happy New Year

Keith Duerler MPT
Active Rehab and Fitness